By harold



Sept. v3, 1929'. l E. E. sLocoMB ET AL- 1,726,929

u PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 lO.Sheets-Sheet 1 MU g Sept. 3,1929. E. E. sLOcoMB ET A1. 1,726,929

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed'April 14, 1924 l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mmw was FredafdZq ElmerEQ/Slocomb, 17565/45511. In) .Ha rolcl S/ofom, A'n.

Sept. 3, 1929.

E. E. SLOCCMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 l0Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept- 3, l9?9 E. E. sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE FiledApril 14, 1924 l0 Sheets-'Sheet 4 il., l 1 .....v 2 mit 4 (0 o. .il-. ou a u m Sept. 3, 1929..

E. ESLOCO'MB ET A1.

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed-April 14, 1924V Y MHM .d ,E101 N @Ccm www@ i.wwf FFH ,mw

Sept 3, 1929- E. E. sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924lO Sheets-Sheet 6 g 5 1 m IMLQM/MM win fm www Aj/w. F5705 hm Wmo 1a @laFE r ISuelt- 3, 1929- E.'E. sLo'coMB ET AL 1,726,929

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Apri114, 1924' 1o sheets-sheet Vr7 ""V 0 weSept- 3, 1929. E. E, sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14,1924 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Wmme Fffilmsflfdze,

Sept. 3, I19229. E. E. sLocoMB ET AL 1,726,929

`PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 10 sheets-sgg@ 9 Sept 3, 1929.E. E. sLocoMB ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 1 10'Sheets-Sheet. l0

Mmmm me Pfaff/mardi@ Y Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

ELMER E. SLOCOMB, DECEASED, LATE OF WNTHROP, NIASSACHUSETTS, BY HAROLD..

i C. SLOCOIVIB, ADMINISTRATOR, F `WINTHROP7 MASSACHUSIE'JHLS,A AND FREDW.

MCARDLEOF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,`ASS1GNORS, BY DIRECT AND` MESNE AS-SIGNMENTS, T0 PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION, LMITED, 0F NORFOLK DOWNS,

MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATIGN 0F MASSACHUSETTS. i i

` PACKAGING MACHINE.

" Application ledAprl `14, 41924.Y Serial No. 706,388;

closed by covering material, in distinction from that class in which theproduct is deposited in a container.

One object of our invention is to provide a machine which is adapted towrap or enclosek portions of a product Within suitable wrappingmaterial, such as paper orV cloth.

Another object of our invention is tocoordinate the several devices andparts of our invention, to the end that the several operations shall heperformed successively and continuously for the purpose of providing arapid, economical and efficient packaging machine of this class.

Qur invention consistsin novelties ,of construction and in thecoordination of novel devices to accomplish the foregoing'objects, allof which will he hereinafter described and illustrated in the followingspecifications and the drawings forming a part thereof.

A preferred form of lour machinecomprises a carrier, intermittentlyrotated, to which is fed, during the'period 0f rest, a strip of wrappingmaterial which Ais then out to suitable length. Thesucceedingrotation-of the carrier,transfers the portion of wrappingmaterial to a position `where the product to he packaged, may bedeposited thereon during the succeeding period of rest, the portion ofproduct deposited, and wrap-l c ping material fed to the carrier and`cutto length for another package. Successive operations formthe wrappingmaterial'ahout the product, secure by means offwire the opening of thepackage formed, trim projecting wrapping material and discharge thepackage from the machine. With the exception of the enclosing operation,the several" operations are performed on successive packages during therest period of the carrier7 the forming of the package being doneas thewrapping material togethfer with the superimposed ijiroduct, istransferred to the succeeding station hy the carrier.

le do not confine our invention to the form shown, as variations inconstruction and operation may be used without departv ing from thespirit and scope of this invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a preferred form of our invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragment of the trimming device.

- Figure 3 is an end elevation;

Figure 4, is a plai. f

Figure 5 is a plan ofthe operating "mechanisin of the carrier.

Figure Gis an enlarged sectionalplan on 6 6 Figure 3.

Figure 11 of the feeding device such as tea, cereals, and the like.

for goods Figure 11 is a sectional elevation on`1111 Figure 10.

vice.

Figure 13 is a fragment of the device in elevation. Y f

Figure 12 is a section of the measuring dei measuring Figure 1e is anelevation of the wrapping device in closed position.

. Figure 14a is a diagrammatic viewy showing` the action of the fingers.

'Figure 15 is a planof same, wr vice closed.

Figure 16 is a plan of `saine partly closed@ appne de* Figures 17 and 18showV the progressive action ofthe wrapping device, conventionallytreated.

Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the device for securing they coveringmaterial to the carrier. f

Figure 20 is Aa section on 20- -20 Figure 21 is a section showing of thedevice. i l

Figure 19.

the action i Figure 22 is an enlarged fragment of the carrier showingthe held.

wraping material as Figure 23 is a plan of they holding jaws.

Figure 24C is any elevation of for applying the `closure wire.`

Figure 25 is an end elevation o theA .device f the same.

Figure a is a fragment showing the action of the wire feeding release.

Figure 26 is a plan. Figure 26a is a diagrammatic view showing theaction of the brushing device. j

Figure 27 is a sectional elevation of the wire clinching device.

A*Figure 28 is a fragment of the clincher racks.-

Figure 29v is a section on 29-29 Figure 28. Figure 30 is a sectionalelevation of the wire forming device.

Figure .31 is a plan of the same, parts shown in Figure- 26 beingremoved.

Figure 32 is an enlarged elevation showing Wireas fed.

.Figure 33 showsposition of wire when cut. Figure 34 is a fragmentshowing support of wire on slide.

.Figure 35 is a fragment showing end of wire as confined when severed.

Figure 36 is a plan showing position of parts when a staple is `formed.`

Figure 37 is an end'section on line37--37 Figure 36.

Figure 38 is a plan showing position of parts when staple is about to beclinched.

f Figure; 39 is any end elevation in section of same, similar to Figure37. `vFigure 40 is a plan showing position of parts when staple isclinched to form a closure forl the package.

Figure 41'is an end section of same similar to Figure 37.

Figurev42 is a section on line 42-42 Figure 36.

^ In the drawings, the bed 1, is mounted on posts, 2 and supports theoperative parts necessary to accomplish the foregoing objects.

The posts, 2 are supported by a suitable bench .3, and secured to thisbench are bearings 4, in which is journaled the main shaft 5, to whichis secured the several cams and pulleys by means of which the severaloperations are controlled. Projecting upwardly fromthe bed 1, is thepost 6, (Figures-4 and 5) which forms a journal for the spider 7, to thearms of which are secured the segment plates 8, forming a surface onwhich the packages are'supported and transferred from station tostation, as the spider is rotated step by step. The spider and plateswill be hereinafter referred to ascarrier A.

, For rotating carrier A, any suitable mechanism may be used, but weprefer to employ the` so called Geneva movement which comprises aslotted member 9, (Figure 5) secured to the hub of V'the spider 7. Thisslotted member is engaged by the roll 10, journaled on the stud 11 whichprojects from the arm 12, secured to the shaft 13. The miter gear 14also secured to this shaftmeshes with the miter gear 15 secured to themain shaft 5. and is driven thereby. As the arm 12 is rotated, the roll1Q engages one of the slots 16 in the member 9, and the carrier A isrotated through a predetermined arc which in this machine is assumed asGO degrees. As the roll leaves the slot 16, an extension 17, formedconcentric with the hub of the arm 12, engages the socket 18, formed inthe member 9, rotating therein and locking the meinber until the roll isabout to engage the next slot, at which time the extension 17, permitsthe rotative action due to the action of the roll in the succeedingslot.

Mounted on t-he segment plates 8 are the several forming units B whichwill 'be hereinafter described, slots being provided in the plates topermit of the action of the fingers on the wrapping material to enclosethe product deposited thereon.

The wrapping material is delivered to the unobstructed surface of thecarrier plate at station C, and is there cut to suitable length. Thiscombined operation is performed in the following manner z-Referring toFigures 2 to 9, a supporting frame 20 is secured to the extension 21, ofthe bed 1. In this frame are .4

journaled shafts to which are secured the feed rolls 22, 23, 24,(Figures 5 to 9).

The wrapping material a is of predetermined width and is drawn from asupply roll, not shown. To operate the feed rolls, we provide thefollowing mechanism. Secured to thel shaft 25, on which is mounted theroll 22, is a ratchet 26. Engaging the ratchet is a pawl 27, swiveled ona stud 28, projecting from an arm 29, a spring 30 serving to exert ayielding pressure on the pawl to insure engagement with the ratchet 26.The arm 29 is rotatable on the shaft 25, and is provided with a hub 3l,to which is secured a pinion 32, meshing with a segment 33. This segmentis swivelled on a stud 34 projecting from an extension 35, formed on thesupporting frame 20.

The segment 33 is extended at 36, and the slot 37 therein is adapted toreceive a stud 38, which serves as a journal for one end of the pitman39, the other end of which is secured to the yolze 40, which is adaptedto slidably engage the main shaft 5, on which is rigidly mounted the cam41. A roll 42, j ournaled on the stud 43 projecting` from an extensionof the yoke 40, bears against the cam, which thus controls, through themechanism described, the oscillation of the pawl arm 29, to produce astep movement of the roll 22.

The springr 44 attached to the yoke 40, exerts a yielding pressure topreserve the contact between the roll and the cam. Secured to the rollshafts, are intermeshing gears 45-46 which insure the same peripheralspeed of the rolls. By adjustment of the position of the stud 38 in theslot 37, the rolls are rotated through arcs Corresponding` in length tothat of the wrapping material required, the rolls 23-24 being journaledin CFI bearings 47-48 Which slidably engage the supporting frame,springs 49 exerting` a pressure to insure a yielding contact of therolls. The action of the feed rolls is such as toydraiv the Wrappingmaterial from the source of supply and to push the free ond forward toits position on the carrier A, symmetrically over one of the forming'units B, which is secured thereto. The character of the wrappingmaterial may be such that Waves will form as the feed rolls push itforward to positionand We provide a supplementary feeding device adaptedto cooperate with the main feeding rolls. The construction and operation of this device is as follows :--Svvivelled on the shaft 50 are thearms 51, cross braced at 52 thus forming a forked member, in the outerend of Which is ournaled the shaft 53, to which is secured the roll 54,which is preferably covered With a yielding,- material as at 55. Securedto the shafts 50 and 53 are sprockets 56-57 connected by the chain 58.It is essential that the peripheral. speed of the roll 54 shall exceedthat of the rolls 22-23, in order that it may er-unt a pulling action onthe Wrapping material. and this may be accomplished by means ofdifferent sized sprockets as shown. or by increasing; the size of theroll 54. Springs 59 may be used to exert a yielding' pressure on theroll through extensions 60 formed on the arms 51.

A bridge piece 61, secured to the supportingr frame 9.0, is provided,which overlaps the carrier A, and over this the Wrapping mate-- rialslides and is engaged by the roll 54.

It will be evident that the roll 54 would interfere With the transfer ofthe severed Wrapping materialby the carrier A, unless released fromcontact after the feeding was completed, and the following means areprovided to accomplish, this :-The rods 62.. havinu bear ings in thesupporting frame 20, engage the lugs 63 on the cross brace 52. The lowerends of these rods are supported at 64 on the levers 65, Which aresecured to the shaft 66 which is journaled in the bed 1.` A lever 67,also secured to the shaft 66 is provided at its outer end with a stud 68on which is journaled the roll 69 which bears on the cam 7 0. secured tothe main shaft 5. This cam is so formed that, as it rotates, the roll 54is raised from contact with the Wrapping material a when the feedingaction is completed,` and When the feeding operation is under Way, theroll is lowered to contact with the Wrapping` material a when ktheadvancinga edafe thereof substantially under the axis of the roll 54.When the Wrapping material has been fed to position on the carrier A,the feeding actionceases, and the projecting portion is severed from thevveb in the following manner zw'ihe shear blade is svvivelled to thesupporting); frame 20 at 7 6, and is adapted to slidably en- Page afixed blade 77 rigid` with the supporting frame, and over Which theWrapping material passes as it is fed to` position.` The shear blade 7 5is connected near its outer end by means of the pitinan 7S, with one endof a lever 79,]'ournaled at 80 on a stud proj ect-, ing; from thebed 1.f This lever is operated in a manner similar to that of the lever 67 bythe camy 81, securedto the main shaft 5. r.lo insure a shearing actionbetween the blades of the shears, We have provided a guide plate 82,which exertsa yielding pressure on the outer side of the shear blade 75as it is operated.

This blade is supported on the stud 83 projecting` from supporting frame20, the nut 84 and spring 85 providing an adjustable yielding` pressurerequired.

The Wrapping material, as stated rest-s on the carrier A, symmetricallydisposed relative to the unit B, and it is essential that it be retainedin this relation as the carrier is rotated.

A preferred mechanism for insuring this condition is shown in Figure19-20 in which is bracket secured to the iiXed hub 91 which is integralwith the segment 92 (Fig.

uros 4 and 26) which also furnishes a support for other elementshereinafter described. 'lhe hub 91 r1 idly secured to the post 6; a bellcrank 93 is journalled on. the pin 94 in ears ofthe bracket 90, and isadapted to oscillate about this pin. rlhe ends of the bell crank armsare forked and at 95 is pivoted the holder 96. This holder is chamberedat 97 to receive the plunger 98 rigidly secured at 99. lllhe strippingbushing- 100 is slidable Within this chamber andl on the plunger 96, andyieldingly pressed downward by the spring; 101. A pin 109Jprojectingfrom the plunger 98 engages the slot 103 in the bushing 100,permitting slidingy movement thereof relative to plunger 98 and chamber97. The link 104 isv svviveled to the holder 96 and the bracket 90 toinsure a vertical movement of the holder relative to the carrier A.

'lf he other forked end of the bell cranli is adapted to engage a holder105 pivoted 106; this holder is cliainbered to receive: the spring 106which is adapted to exert yielding;- pressure on the collar 109 securedvto the rod 110, a similar collar being secured to the rod at 111. Thisrod has a sliding` bearing at 112 in the holder 105, and in the bracket90 at 113, a spring 114 acting betvveen the projection 113 and collar115 secured to the rod (Figure 4) to exert a yielding pressure to lreepthe bell crank normally in a position in which the .holder 96 Will beraised from the carrier A.

rlhe rodv is extended at 116 to abut and act in unison with the packagetrii'niningI unit lF, as will hereinafter be moreclearly lained. Thebearing' 117 projecting from the segment provides a support for the rod110 near the cutting unit F.

The plunger 98 is formed at its lower end with a blade 118 adapted toengage the wrapping material a and force it downwardly to engageclamping members 119 which .have a sliding bearing in the forked element120, which is rigidly secured to the plate 8 of the carrier A the platebeing provided with open ings 121 through which the plunger acts.

The clamping members 119 are yieldingly held in contact with -aeh otherby means of the springs 122, abutting against the pins 123 projectingfrom the forked element 120. Pins 124, limit the movement of theclamping members, to insure an approximate central position of theclamping faces relative to the axis of the plunger 118.

The action of this device is as follows hen the section of wrappingmaterial is fed to the carrier A. and severed, the end 125 of the rod11() is operated by the trimming unit F and the bell crank 93 is rocked.The blade 118 engages the wrapping material a pressing` it downward andbetween the clamping members 119, which have wedge shaped faces whichenable the blade 118 to separate them and force a fold of the wrappingmaterial between the ends in 11` igure 21.

The slotted bushing 100 rests on the plate segment 8 and when the bladeis withdrawn, acts as a stripper to prevent the withdrawal of thewrapping material which is thus clamped at or near the center of thesection, by the members 119 (Figure 22).

The yielding pressure exerted by the springs 122 is slight, butsufficient to clamp the wrapping material during succeeding' operations,yet to allow a release of the finished package with slight resistance.In the succeeding cycle the carrier A is rotated to bring the section ofwrapping material to station D where portion of the product to bepackaged, is deposited at or near the center of the section.

1n the particular machine illustrated we have shown a device fordelivering a predetermined portion of tea to each section of wrappingmaterial, when it arrives at station D. 1t is evident however that otherproducts may be deposited by suitable devices. The device for depositingtea and the like is constructed as follows z- A hopper 130 is rigidlysupported above the carrier it., its aXis being substantially centralwith the section of i-.vrapping material when it is at station D. rllhishopper is supplied in any suitable manner with the product to bepackaged, and may have within, a breaker of suitable design to preparethe product for delivery.

As herein shown this breaker consists of a series of mutilated discs 131secured to a r0- tating shaft 132 and spaced to alternate with fixedprojections 133 which form a comb like member secured to the hopper. Asthe shaft 132 is rotated by means of the belt 134 (Fig ure 3) andpulleys 135-136 from the mai shaft 5, the product is comminuted andfalls through the nozzle into a n'ieasuring device. lihis may be of anysuitable construction but we prefer to use the following:

Secured to the lower end 131 of the hopper 130 is a casing 138, with apassage therethrough in substantial alignment with the lower op ning ofthe hopper. lfransverse openings are adapted to receive the headers 139140 which are mounted on the shaft 141.

rlhe header 139 is provided with an exteni hub 142 j ournaled in the cap143 which is secured to the casing 138. rfhe header 139 igid with theshaft 141 but the header s ble thereon and is provided with is lida anextension hub 144 slotted to permit of a clamping action on the shaftthrough the mezlium of a clamping nut 145.

The headers are slotted to receive blades 146 which are secured to theheader 139 but i e slidable in the header 140. These blades 'e adaptedto form compartments 147 into which the contents of the hopper fall, asthe sha'l 141 is rotated. r1`he slidable header 14() a means forchanging' the amount contained in the compartments as Figures 10-12. 'iino transverse openings thus form bearings for the headers 139 and 140as the shaft 141 is rotated.

r1 ne shaft 141 together with the compartformed as above, isintermittently ro- :ated through the medium of the ratchet 150 securedto the shaft 141. A pawl 151 is swiveled at 152 on the pawl arm 153, aspring 154 insuring a constant bearing on the ratchet face. This pawlarm is rigid with the pinion 155 which is loosely mounted on the shaft141, endwise movement being limited by the collar 156, rigid with theshaft 141.

Meshing with t-he pinion 155 is the segment 157 (Figure 8) swiveled at158 on a stud projecting from the casing 138. r1`his segment is providedwith a slotted arm 159, pitman 160 is swivelled to the stud 161 whichmay be adjusted in the slot. The object of this adjustment to provide ameans o regulate the angular oscillation of the pawl arm to insure thatthe compartments shall register with the opening in the hopper. rfhelower end of the pitman 16() is swiveled to the lover 162 and the leveris rigid with shaft 163 journaled at 164-165 in the bed 1 (Figure 6).

Rigid with the shaft 163 is the cam lever 166 to which is swiveiled theroll 167, adapted to engage the periphery of the cam 168 secured to theshaft 5.

this shaft rotates an intermittent oscillation is imparted to the pawlarm 153, by means of which the compartments 147 are rotated (Figure 11).`When the compartment 147 is aligned relative to the opening cap 143 tolimit rotation.

169 inthe casing-"138m at o, the portion to be deposited fills thecompartment, which is rotated to position 0 inthe next cycle of themachine and to d in the succeeding cycle,

at which time the contents are dumped upon the sectionof wrappingmaterial a, through the opening 170 in the casing. yToprevent thefunctioning of this device attimes when the machine is being adjustedfora run, we have provided a finger lever -171 vwhich is swivelled onthe stud 172 projecting from the casing 138. 1n normal position thislever is in the position shown in full (Figure 13) an extension 17 8engaging the hub 174 of the llVhen it is requirec that this deviceshould cease to func tion, the-finger lever 171 is rocked to engage theunder side of the pawl arm 153 as shown in broken lines (Figure 13). Theeffect is to interrupt the operation of the cam lever 166 the device islocked in such position that the periphery of the cam 168 engages theroll 167 only at its greatest radius. A spring 27 5 abutting the head ofthe stud 172 and the side of the lever 171 furnishes sufficientfrictional resistance to retain the level' 171 in either operating ornonoperating position.

As the shaft 5 rotates, the carrier A transfers the section ofwrappingmaterial together withV the superimposed portion of product,from station Dto station E and it is during this movement of the carrierthat the material a is wrapped about the portion to form sack shapedpackage. Asheretoforo stated the package forming units B are secured tothe under sides of the segment plates 8 of the carrierl A. Each unitconsists of three sets of fingers 175, 177, 179 (Figures 15 to 18)hinged respectively in forked members 176, 178, 120.y

The forked members 176, 178 are mounted on the stud 180 which isshouldered at 181 and threaded at 182 to screw into member 120 which issecured to one of the segment plates 8. When the stud tightened, theshoulder 181 engages the forked member 176 and clamps it and member 178against meinber 120. Preferably all the fingers are provided near theirextremities with projections which insure a broadersurface to engage thewrapping material a. Slidably mounted on the stud 180 is a cup 183adapted to engage at` 184 with a cam track 1860 suitably and rigidlymounted, on the bed 1. The rim of the cup is adapted to engage thefingers 175, 177 and the cam track is so formed that as the cup ridesthereon, itis moved upward on the stud 180 transmitting a movement tothefingers, which swing on their respectiveV hinges.-

These t-wo sets of' fingers swingsubstan# tially in unison, and operatethrough slots 1850 formed in the segment plates 8. Normally theextremities of all the fingersare below the surfaceof the plate on whichrests the section of wrappingmateriall a, symmetrically disposedrelative to the finger groups beneath. y

Asy the cup rises the extremities `ofthe'ngers 175 and 177 engage thewrapping material nea-r the edges,"forming it into anapproximate saucershape yin theniiddle 0f which reposes the portion ofv product to be fpackage y The normal position ofthe fingers is shown atG Figure 17. YItwill be noted that fingers 179 are not engagedV by the cup`183,",which may be explained as follows z-#Asthesaucer shape ofthewrapping material becomes more pronounced wavesare formed between'contiguous klingers as shown diagrammatically in Figure 14a. The waveformation increases as the fingerscontinue their upward `swing and thewaves become vfolds unless theten dency is corrected, which is theofiicelof the fingers 17 9. It is essential that the extremities ofthese fingers engage the waves thus formed and push them within thefinger ends 185, 186. To accomplishthisrwerhave provided means forswinging these fingers through a larger arc and ina shorterperiod thanthat of the fingers 175, 177. Projecting on both sides from one set offingers which we have assumed as 177', are the extensions .187.' Theseextensions are adapted to engage the' outer edges of the fingers 179after the rother iingershave formed the wrapping materialk into` asaucer shape. When the wrapping materialhas assumed substantially theshape shown atl-1,- Figure 17, the wave formation is marked and thecrests are engaged by the extremities 188of the fingers 17 9., At aboutthis point it is esi sential that the material be pushed within thegrouping extremities 185, 186`of`th'elfingers 17 5-177 and the furtheryaction of theprojections 187 on the fingers 17 9v cause them tofunction as shown at d Figure 18'and the' edges of the wrapping materialare crimped' within the extremities of the three sets of fingers. Thecontinued action swings l'the fingers 179 ahead of the other-sets whichhave' by this time accomplished rtheir particular function, and at theextreme travel of the. fingers as shown in Figures 14, -`15 andat KFigure 18, the open folds of the formed package have been compressedwithin the extremities 188 and are held in position until thesuperfluous wrapping material is severed from the completed package atstation F.

With thin and flimsy wrapping material `it is advisable to provide`guides 190-191 Fig``v ure 4,30, 31 to assist the lingers in forming thepackage. For clearness these guides are omitted in `other figures Theiraction is toV raise the outer and inner edges of the section of wrappingmaterial, being lformed to cos operate with the nnits'B.` y

at station E, at which station a metal wire is secured about the crimpedneck of the package to form a closure thereto.

It is essential that the neck of the package immediately above thelinger ends, be free from all overhanging ends of wrapping ma` terial inorder that the wire closure may be properly applied by the mechanismpresently to be described.

To insure this condition we employ a de'- vice for brushing up theoverhanging ends, constructed as follows -Referring to Figures 24, 25,26 the shaft 195 is mounted in bearings 196 and 197 and is adapted torotate therein.

Secured to this shaft is the arm 198 to which is fastened the blade 199of sole leather or other similarly flexible material. The shaft isoscillated by means of a pinion 200 secured thereto and meshing with therack 201, an eX- tension of the rack which operates the wire feedingmechanism which will be presently described.

The position of this device is such that, the plane of oscillation ofthe center line of the blade 199 is substantially tangential to the pathof travel of the axes of the packaging units B. Relative to the stationE, the position of this device is such, that when one of the units Bapproaches this station, the blade 199 may be oscillated to follow andbrush up- Wardly the overhanging ends of the wrapping material, and toretain them after the unit B has come to rest at station E. An auxiliaryvlever 202 swivelled at 203 on the segment 92 coacts with the brushingblade 199 to firmly hold the neck of the package while the wire closureis applied thereto, and is constructed as follows The pinion 204 isrigidly secured `to theshaft 195 and fis adapted to mesh with thesegment 205 which isrigid with the stud 206 journalled at 207 on thesegment 92. To this shaft is rigidly secured the segment 208 meshingwith idler pinion 209 swivelled on the stud 210 projecting from thesegment 92. Integral with the hub of the arm 202 is the segment 211adapted toengage the idler pinion 209. As the carrier A is rotated fromstation D to station Ethe package is formed as above explained. Surpluswrapping material projecting beyond the linger extremities of a unit Bhas a tendency to lag, due to the frictional resistance of the guides19o, 191.

This is especially the case as the -neckof the package approaches thecontracted area 212 formed by the guides. Figures 30, 81, k24.

The brushing-device described is adapted to operate to follow the unitBk and brush upwardly the dependent surplus wrapping material,completing .its action substantially at the moment the unit B comes'torest'at station E, at which station the neck of the package engages thesocket 2120 formed inthe `lever 2.13. The arm` 202 in turn followsclosely after the brushing blade but in a horizontal plane, the end ofthe arm being bifurcated at 2130 (Figures 24, 26, 30, 31) to clamp theneck of the package into the socket, above and below the wire closure tobe subsequently applied. Figure 26a is a diagrammatic view of the actionof this device showing in full lines the positions of parts at thebeginning of the action and in broken lines the conditions at the timethe closure is about to be applied. The device for yforming a closureabout the neck of the package may for descriptive purposes be dividedinto two parts, the wire feeding and forming mechanisn'x and theclinching mechanism. These are correlated and function as a completedevice to feed and cut the wire used; to form a staple about the neck ofthe package; and to clinch the ends of the staple about the neck.

The wire is fed from a source of supply and cut to suitable length byany suitable method but in this particular case we prefer to employ the.following construction Referring to Figures 8, 25, 26.

The stand 215 is rigidly mounted on the bed 1, at station E and servesas a support for the several elements required in the forma(- tion ofthe staple above noted. Secured. to the top of the stand 215 is theholder 216 in which is journaled the shaft 217. Integral with thisshaftis the grooved disc 218 (Figure 24). .Secured to the other end ofthis shaft is the pinion 219 adapted to mesh with the gear 220. Thisgear is rigidly secured to the shaft 221, journaled in the arm 222 whichis hinged at 228 to projecting ears 224 formed on the holder 216(Figures 25, 31).

Secured to the other end of the shaft 221 and adapted to co-act with thedisc 218 is the disc 225 milled on its periphery.

As these discs arel rotated by means to be described the wire 226 is fedforward.

It is essential that there shall be sufficient pressure of the discs onthe wire to insure that there be no slippage, and it is for this reasonthat the hinged arm is used for supporting the shaft 221. An extension227 of this arm is yieldingly pressed from beneathy by the spring(Figure 3) the stud 228 rigid relative to the holder serving as an arborfor the spring. This arbor is threaded and a nut 229 provides a meansfor adjusting the tension of the spring, and the pressure through thearm 222 and the disc 225 on the wire 226.

At times when adjusting' the machine as a whole, it is advisable thatthe feedingof the wire be temporarily interrupted, and to secure thisresult without disconnection of parts, we have slotted the upper end ofthe stud 228 and have swiveled therein the cam lever 2280 which isadapted to depress the extension 227 and raise the milled disc fromcontact with the wire. This is particularly shown in Figure 25a.

Mounted on the shaft 221 and adapted to ing from which is the stud 1228on which is swiveled the pawl 1229. adapted to engage the ratchet 230which is rigidly secured to the shaft 221. The spring 231 serves toexert a.

yielding pressure to maintain engagementof the pawl1229 with theperipl'iery ot theV ratchet 230. rThe pawl 1227 is provided with anextension hub to which is secured.l the gear 232 which is adapted toengage the rack 201. It will be noted that this rack simultaneouslyoperates the brushing device already described, and when these movementsare completed the wire is fed readyA to be cut, and the neck of thepackage is clamped in position to have the staple `lorined aboutit.

To the lower end of the rack is swiveled at 233 one end ol. the pitman234 (Figures 1, 3) the lower end ot which. is swiveled to the bell crank235, journaled on the stud 236, projecting from the bed 1. From. theother arm of the bell crank projects thestud 237, on which is journalledthe roll 238, adapted to engage the periphery ot the cam 239 rigid withthe main shaft 5.

The spring24f0 is secured to the bell crank and exerts 4tension thereonto retain the roll 238 in contact'with the cani 239. Swivelled on thestud 236 and similarly operated from the cam 241 rigid with shatt 5, isthe lever 2412 connected by a pitrnan 243 with one end of the bell.crank 241i., journaled at 241.5 between the 24.1.6, integral with thestand 215. To the other aii'm ot the bell crank is swiveled the carrier24,17 adapted to slide in the holder 216. Caps 248 and 249 secured tothis holder complete a slide bearing` for the carrier. lt has been`found convenient to make. the bearing .196 for the shatt 1.95 integralwith the cap 2413 and to provide at 250 a retaining bearing for the rack201. Secured to the carrier 247 is the plate 251 (Figures 30 to 42).

This plate is oi? hardened steel and 'is adapted to slide against thehardened liner 2510 which. is pierced at 252 to permit the passage oitthe wire 226. The couni'ersink 254. and the bushing 225 serve as guidesto assist in threading the wire and in aligning it with. the feed discs218 and 225. The wire,

ted forward as already described., projects` across the path of theplate 251. and as the carrier 247 is operated as above described, theadvancing edge 256 of the plate 251 shears the wire.

As the wire is sheared there isa tendency for it to spring outwardly atits end, and as the shearing is completed to similarly react at the lineof shearing, and we have provided yielding blades 257 and 258 securedrespectively by the caps 248, 249, to control this tendency and retainthe severed wire in place.

lntegral with the plate 251. is the shoulder 259 adapted to support thelwire, near its severed end and secure-to theunder lside ot' the plateis a plate 260 which serves as a, .support for the other end ofthe wireand is biturcated at 261 to engage and further compress and hold theneck of the package asthe staple is formed. f As thus described, thewire rests in an inclined position in front of and advancing with theplate1251`, and Vthel staple is formed in an inclined posit-ion aboutthe neck ofV the package in order that the ends may be clinched withoutinterfering.

The plate 251 is slotted at 262 the slot being central'with alinepassing through the axis of the package to be closured. Slidable in thisslot is an element 263 which is normally withdrawn as shown in Figure36.

A plate 264 is hinged at 265 to the caps 24S,

249 (Figures 24, 26) the spring 266 exerting a yielding pressure'on theplate to retain it in a normally low position. The socket 2120 isJformed near the free end of this plate, and projecting downwardly fromthe plate and beyond the socket 2120 is the stud 267, Figures so, se, tose.

This stud is so disposed that the inner side ot' the neck ot the bagengages ythe stud when held in the. ,socket 2120 as described. Thepurpose of this stud is to torni an abutment for the neck of the packageas the staple is formed. As the plate 251 is advanced, the wire engagesmidway of its length, with the neck of the packaga'and the continuedadvance of the plate forms the staple about the bag, (Figure 36), theedges of the slot 268 serving as a die, and the neck of the packagesupported by the stud 267 serving as an arbor, the loop ofthe staplebeing pressed into the slot.

When the staple has been thus formed, y

plate 264 is swung upwardly by means presently to be described and thecontinued ad- Vance ot the plate forces the staple into a posi.- tion inwhich the ends may be clinched as will be presently described. Thisfinal movement of the plate is utilized to advance the element 263,theiorwardy end of which 269 is formed to approximate the arc of thestaple.

swiveled at 270 on the carrier 2117 is a lever, one end of which, 271,engages a slot 272 in t-he element 263. The other end of the lever 273projects beyond the side of the carrier 24.7, the guide way beingrelieved at 274; to permit free sliding movement of the carrier.

As the carrier approaches its extreme inward travel, the staple beingformed. and the abutment stud raised, the end ot the lever 273 engagesthe abutment 2750, formed on the guide way and the lever is swiveled onits stud 270, acting to slide the element 263 forward, to engage thestaple and press it tore ward, at the same time acting in conjunctionwith elements already described to further compress the neck of thepackage, tothe end that when the clinching operation is completed, thewire shall be tightly wound about the neck and form a positive closure.

The clinching operation which immediately succeeds the formation of thestaple, ils performed by the device which will now be described.

J ournaled in the segment 92 is the quill 275 to the lower end of whichis secured a hub 27 6, and to the upper end of which is secured thepinion 277 (Figure 27). To the under surface of the hub 27 6 is rigidlyfastened the segment plate 278 (Figures 27, 86 to 11). Journalled in thequill 275 ils the shaft 279 to the lower end of which is secured a plate280 similar to the plate 278, a pinion 281 like pinion 277 being securedto its upper end. The edges of plates 278, 280 are concentric with theaXis of the shaft and quill, and of like radius.

rfhese plates are beveled from their contiguous faces, abutments beingformed at in plate 278 and at 288 in plate 280.

l/Vhen the staple is forced forward forme-l in an inclined position, theends engage respectively the beveled edges of the plates one end beingguided upward, and the other downward, and the neck ofthe package ispressed and held against the feather et" s the segment plates 278, 280.v'llhe segvginent plates are oscillated in opposite directions and theabutments 282, 288 bend the ends of the staple about the neck of the pacforming a complete closure. rlhe progres. action of the staple is shownin Figures 86 to 41. In Figures 88, 87 the staple being formed, andabout to be pressed for-wa "l a partial oscillation of the plates 278and 280 causes the wedge 285, rigid with the upper face of the plate278, to engage the outer end of the hinged plate 215 and to raise it,thus withdrawing the stud 267 and permitting the advance of the stapleas shown in Figures 88, 89 the completed closure being shown in Figures4:0, 41.

The oscillation of the clinching plates is accomplished asfollowsz-'l`he yoke 286 is provided with rack sides 287, 288 adapted tomesh respectively with the pinions 277 and 281. These racks are slidablein a bearing formed on the-segment 92, the yoke members being rigidlysecured to form a single element. An extension 290 of the yoke, isswiveled to the upper end ofthe lever 291 (Figures 1, 8, 6,) which has abearing in the bracket 292 rigidly secured to the bed 1. The lower endof the lever is swiveled at 298 to the yoke connection 294, constructedand operating in a manner similar to the description of the yoke 40, theroll 295 on the projectie stud 296 engaging the cam 297 which operatesthrough the mechanism described, to clinch the ends of the wire to formthe closure of the package.

When this operation is completed the clinching mechanism dwells untilthe staple forming and brushing devices have returned to their initialpositions, and the carrier A has moved the package beyond the stud 267,at which time the clinching device returns to normal position while theclosured package is transferred to the station F where the surpluswrapping material is sheared from the package.

On account of the original shape of the section of wrapping material a,there will be a more or less uneven projection of material above theclosure wire and at station F this is sheared by a rotating cutter 800secured to the rotatable shaft 801 journalled on the end of an arm 802which is secured to one end of a shaft 808 (Figures 1, 2, 6). This shaftis journaled in the bracket 804, secured to the bed plate 1. To thelower end of this shaft 808 is secured the lever 805 which is oscillatedby means of the yoke connection 806 and roll 807 from the cam 808secured to the shaft 5, all in manner similar to that already described.ylfhe rotating cutter is ydriven by means of the pulley 810, secured tothe upper end of the shaft 808, the belt 811 running over the idlers812, 818 (Figures 1, 2, e, G) to the pulley 8111 journaled ron the stud815 projecting from the bracket 804. The pulley 814- is integral with asecond pulley 8150 which is driven by the belt 817 from a pulley 8170secured to the main shaft 5.

fr tightener pulley 818 is journalled on a stud projecting from the arm819, which is ournaled on the stud 820 projecting from bracket 804.Tension on the belt 811 is provided by means of a spring 821 which eX-erts a yielding pressure to swing the roll against the belt, thusinsuring traction.

It has been found advisable to employ means for brushing trailingwrapping material from the path of the rotary cutter as the package'approaches station F and this is done in like manner to that abovedescribed, the flexible blade 825 Figures 24, 26 being oscillatedthrough the medium of the shaft 826 journaled at 827, 828 on the segment92, the pinion 829 being secured to the inner end of the shaft andadapted to mesh with the segment gear 205. As the formed package comesto rest at station F the arm 802 carrying the rotating cutter isoscillated to cause the axis of the cutter to swing toward the anis ofthe formed package. As this movement starts, the rotating cutter engagesthe blade 880 yieldingly supported in a recess formed in the under sideof segment 92. This blade acts as a shear blade to insure a clean cut ofthe surplus wrapping material projecting above the closure.

As the rotating shear operates in conjunction with the blade 880, thecutter guard 881 presses closure it against the abutment 882 which isrigidly secured to the segment 92. This segment is positioned so that itis engaged by the free ends of the closure which is more iirmly clinchedand the ends embedded in the neck of the package.

"While this is not an essential requirement, it insures againstprojecting ends of the wire. As the rotating cutter swings back tonormal position, the carrier A transfers the finished package to stationI, during whichmovement the fingers of the forming unitB are released,the cup 183 dropping from the cam track 180 at 333, to the positionshown in broken lines Figure 14, the sleeve end 33a of the'cup 183engaging the abutment 335 formed on tlie stud 180 which thus limits `thedownward movement. The package thus resting at station I on the piate 8and unsupported by the unit B, is brushed from the supporting sui'- faceby means of the flexible blade 336 secured to the arm 337, which isrigid with the shaft 338, journaled in the overhanging bracket 339. Thisflexible blade is oscillatedin unison with, but in the oppositedirection to the blade 325 depending 'from the shaft 326, the lever 340rigid therewith, being connected by the pitman 341 to a similar levere412 secured to the shaft 338.

As the blade oscillates, it engages the finished package and releases itfrom the clamping members 119, also releasing any of the fingers oftheunit B which have perchance failed to drop to normal position. On thereturn oscillation, the package is brushed from the carrier A, and thesegment together with the preceding one is clear, which permits theremoval of any fragments which may re.- main, before the particularsegment rotates to station C in readiness to receive another section ofwrapping material.

d rom the foregoing it will be evident when the machine is in operation,every revolution of the shaft rotates the carrier through one space fromstation to station.

The operations above described are performed. simultaneously on thepackages at the several stations, acting successively and progressivelyon each package, each operation being governed by the respective camsand pulleys secured to and rotating with the main shaft 5, the camsbeing correlated and coordinated with the mechanism employed forrotating the carrier A. We do not confine ourselves to the exact yformof machine hereinbefore illustrated and described, as the details ofconstruction and the operative mechanism may be varied without departingfrom the essential features of our invention.

Having described our claim 1. A packaging machine, comprising a movablecarrier; means for supplying a section of wrapping material to thecarrier; means for depositing the product to be wrapped on the wrappingmaterial; means for forming the `wrapping' material about the product,to form a sack like package; means for securing a wire Vor band aboutthe free ends of the package, to serve as a closure thereto; and meansfor coordinating the acinvention, we

tion of the several devices with the carrier for the purpose ofVperforming the several operations on each package.

AQ. A packaging `machine, comprising a movable carrier; means forsupplying a section of wrapping material to the carrier; means fordepositing the product to be wrapped on the wrapping material; means forvarying the size of the portion; means' tion of the several devices withthe carrier for Y the purpose of performing the several operations oneach package. e

3. In a packaging machine, a carrier table; means for supplyingwrappngmaterial' thereto; an element movably supported and adapted to depress aportion of the wrapping material Within an opening in the carrier plate;yielding members adapted .to engagetne depressed portion and to retainthe ywrapping material in position relative to the carrier plate; andmeans. for operating the depressing element. f

4. In a packaging machine, a wrapping de vice comprising a plurality offinger elements adapted to engage a section of wrapping material, and torform a sack like package about a portion of a comminuted productdeposited thereon; means kfor operating the fingers;

means for securing the neck ofy the package by means of 'a wire or metalclip to form a sole closure.

5. In a packaging machine a wrapping device'comprising a plurality'offingers hinged about a common axis, and adapted to swing in radiallyfixed relation thereto, for the purpose of engagingwrapping material,forming a sack like package about a product deposited thereon; means forswinging thefingers on their hinges; and means forA retaining thepackage in kformto'enclose the product, and meansfor applying a wire orclip tothe free edges of the wrapping material to serve as a closure. i1 .r

6. In a packaging machine a wrapping device comprising a plurality offingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adaptedV to engagewrapping material, and to form a sac k like package about a productdeposited thereon; a plurality of secondary ngers similarly hinged, andadapted to swing for the purpose of cooperating with the primary fingersby pressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primaryfingers; means for swinging the secondary fingers; and means forretaining the package in form to enclose the product.

7 In a packaging machine a wrapping device comprising a plurality offingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engagewrapping material, to form a llOV 'fingers by pressing inwardly thefolds that may form between the primary fingers means tor swinging thesecondary lingers; means forretainingthe package'k in form to enclosethe product. p

8.- I-n apackaging machine ay wrapping device comprising a lplurality oflingers hinged,

about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engage wrappingmaterial,.and toform af sack like package about a product depositedthereon; pluralityof secondaryy fingers similarly hinged, and adapted toswing for the purpose of cooperating with the primary fingers bypressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primary fingers;independent means for swinging the secondaryqfingers; and means forretaining the package in form to enclose the product.

9. In a packaging machine a wrapping device comprising a plurality offingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engagewrapping material, and to formV a sack like package about a productdeposited thereon; a plurality of secondary fingers similarly hinged,and: adaptedv to swing for the purpose of cooperating with the primaryfingers by pressing inwardly the'folds 4that may 'form between theprimary fingers; means whereby the secondary fingers may be swung by theaction thereonof the primary lingers; means for retaining the package inform to enclose the product.

lO. in a' packaging machinea wrapping-device comprising a plurality offingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engagewrapping material; and kto form a sack like package about a productdeposited thereon; a plurality of secondary fingers similarly hinged,and adapted to swing for the lpurpose'otcooperating with the primaryfingers by pressing inwardly the folds that may form between the primarylingers means for swinging the secondary fingers through an arc greaterthan that of the primary fingers, for the purpose of engaging andpressing inward the folds formed between the primary fingers; means forswinging the primary fingers; and means for retaining the package in'form to enclose the product.

l1. In a packaging machine, a wrapping device comprising a plurality oflingers hinged about a relatively fixed axis, and adapted to engagewrapping material for the purpose of 'forming a sack like package;projections near the tree ends of the fingers adapted to provide abroader area of contact with the wrapping' material; means for swingingthe fingers on their hinges for the purpose set forth; and means forretaining the package in form to enclose the product.

l2. ln a packaging machine a movable table adapted to support a sectionof wrapping material, means for moving the table step by step tocoordinate with other means for depositing a portion of product upon thesection of wrapping material; with independent means for enclosing theproduct within the wrapping material; and with means for applying aclosure to the opening on the package, so formed. n

13. A packaging machine, comprising a movable carrier; means iorsupplying a section of wrapping material to the carrier; means fordeposition on the wrapping material, a portion of a product to bepackaged; means for varying the size of the portion; means for formingthe wrapping material about the product to form a sack like package;means for securing a wire or band about the free end of the package toserve as aclosure thereto; means for trimming surplus wrapping materialfrom the package; and means for coordinating the action of the severaldevices with the carrier for the purpose of performing the severaloperations on each packg HAROLD C., SLOCOMB, Administrator of the Estateof Elmer E. Sloeomb, Deceased.

FRED W. MCARDLE.

